A10 Golden Flash Tank

[GoldenOwl]

Hello everybody. I'm new to the forum, bought myself an A10 Golden Flash from a friend of mine who restored it from the ground up about 25 years ago. It is mechanically in very good condition but some parts need attention, like for example the tank. It is rusty inside and outside and it's got a couple of dents. Since I am completely restoring the tank I wonder if anybody has a picture of an original tank because I don't think that as it is now matches the original. I think the year of the bike must be 1958

Thank you in advance for any pics
Cheers Alex

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Alex,

Welcome to BSA ownership and the Forum.  If you google  BSA plunger A10 you get some really good images.
Your bike is far from standard but never the less an interesting bike in its own right.  As the bike is not standard then why not accept the tank as it is which looks like it is not far from a standard version.  Also, look at the BSAOC web site for images from period brochure and then why not joint the BSAOC.  You will not regret it.

Dave.

[Spaceman]

The original tank would have had chrome side panels. However, old tanks can be very expensive to restore to original factory configuration especially depending on the condition of the metal in the area of the panels. Dents are not too difficult to remove but chroming can be expensive especially if copper layers have to be added to restore rust pitted metal surfaces. I restored my A10 tank quite a few years ago but shudder to remember what it cost even with me doing the painting!

[Mike Farmer]

 

Hi and welcome.

You might consider a new tank from India. Sometimes talked down but I have no complaints.

Mike

[idie]

I have had a number of petrol tanks from India, all have been very good.

[Spaceman]

The new tanks now available from India probably cost half of what it cost me to restore my original tank?

[Mike Farmer]

 

Probably less than half the way prices have jumped.

Mike

[GoldenOwl]

Thanks guys. The tank is already in process. So I probably have to stick to it. I'll try make the bike as close to origianl as possible. It is going to be a long way, but I find it interesting to work in bikes during winter time

[Spaceman]

I always keep with the original tanks unless rusted through but chrome paneled BSA tanks are very challenging to restore. The place I took my A10 tank to be chromed was also able to remove the various dents and dings but then had to use many layers of copper to restore the pitted surface where the chrome panels would go - unfortunately, electroplating in copper adds considerably to the cost. Once the tank had been chromed, I then de-rusted the inside and sealed with POR-15. After that I painted the tank although deciding exactly where to draw the outline of the chrome panels took quite a bit of head scratching but, in the end, it looked pretty authentic.